The Columbia/Boone County Department of Public Health and Human Services will hold community flu clinics throughout Boone County this fall. Community flu clinics are open to anyone. No appointment is needed; walk-ins are welcome. This year's schedule includes:

Thanks to generous support from University of Missouri Women and Children's Hospital and the David B. Lichtenstein Foundation, we can provide free seasonal flu vaccine (injectable and FluMist®) to all children age six months through 18 years. For adults age 19 and older, cost of the injectable vaccine is $25. FluMist®, a quadrivalent vaccine designed to protect against four strains of the flu virus, is also $25 and can be given to healthy, non-pregnant people age two through 49 years. We accept cash, checks and a variety of insurance plans, including: Medicaid, Medicare Part B, Aetna, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, CIGNA, Coventry, Humana, Medicare Railroad, UMWA and United Healthcare. Receipts can be given upon request. We cannot accept debit or credit cards at the community flu clinics.

Flu vaccine is also available Monday - Friday from 8 am - 4:30 pm at the department's clinic, located at 1005 West Worley in Columbia. No appointment is needed; walk-ins are welcome.

According to the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) in 2009, more than 1,300 Missourians died from the flu and/or pneumonia. "Getting a flu vaccine every year is your best protection from the flu", said Stephanie Browning, Public Health and Human Services Director. "We encourage anyone over the age of 6 months to be vaccinated, especially if you have chronic medical conditions, are over the age of 65 or will spend time around a newborn during flu season."

Over a 31-year period, flu-associated deaths nationwide have ranged from about 3,000 to 49,000 each year. For more information on the flu, please visit www.cdc.gov/flu.